Help with bored dog

RE: Help with bored dog

nickyc — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:07:50 GMT

How sad.. As someone else mentioned I would use calmex/adaptil for stress. There are loads of interactive toys on the market so would purchase a few and rotate.. I find the busy buddy range really good, also freezing kongs does make them last longer. Does he like chewing? If so invest in some chews he likes, but again rotate, and only allow at certain times of the day so he doesn't get bored of them. My dogs all really like the stag bar chews. Clicker training is great as will tire him mentally, but can be done indoors.. also scenting games. Lastly if he likes the car, you could do regular car journeys, place him somewhere in the car where he can see out and take all the sights in, and again tire him mentally without moving around to much. You could drive him to the park then just sit for a while and let him again just take the sights in and get some fresh air.. Also since problem is undiagnosed would consider referral to find cause and hopefully better treatment options if current regime not working....

RE: Help with bored dog

lolly — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:55:02 GMT

Thanksfor all your replies.

I did buy him lots of toys and treats etc, but he was just not interested. Just taken him in today and bloods are not good and looking pale so not sure what is going on with him. His thigh is swollen but appears to be a hard lump of some sort which is also restricting the moment of his leg.

We will see i guess. Got to wait for results

RE: Help with bored dog

Clare Ball — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:32:36 GMT

I have a border collie who used to get a bit bored at home so we used to tape up a cardboard box with lots of newspaper and treats in it so he had to destroy it to get to the food inside. Makes a hell of a mess but is fun and cheap to do.

Could you put a sling on his back leg to minimise movement and go for short walks? Would this help the swelling at all?

RE: Help with bored dog

Louise B — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:35:48 GMT

No worries. Sounds like you and him are in for a tough time. If he was mine, I would be looking at loads of scent discrimination type tasks (they reckon about 5mins of scent work is equivalent to an hour's exercise in terms of mental exercise) and clicker training, etc. Try and wear him out that way. I also use sterilised filled bones (wash out the filled stuff, replace with regular food soaked, and then frozen). Seems to last longer than stuffed kongs and, once they have got the bone chewing novelty out the way, they tend not to bother chewing them so minimal issues with tooth fractures, etc (my experience only though, others might be different).

RE: Help with bored dog

lolly — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:28:53 GMT

Thank you

RE: Help with bored dog

Louise B — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:25:28 GMT

Hi, very quick reply! You might find this book useful :) http://www.amazon.co.uk/walks-worries-Maintaining-wellbeing-restricted/dp/1845846052

RE: Help with bored dog

lolly — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:24:16 GMT

Thanks David and Jo. I don't leave him alone for long as I only work part time and my husband works from home a day a week. I will definitely try some different puzzle games and toys and changing or reducing his food. He is losing weight at the moment, but I think it's muscle . Not sure how long he will be confined for as he is not responding favorably at the moment to current treatment. I will definitely mention the mrsa David, we haven't looked into that. Thinking seems to be some narcotic tissue that needs removing or possibly a soft tissue or lymphatic tumour, but the area is so swollen and painful that it is hard to examine. Examination under sedation next week and then possibly a cet scan f that shows nothing.

Will try the ideas 're the coprophagia as I would like to stop this behaviour before it is properly established. I think I am off to a pet shop tomorrow with a credit card! Will be worth it for a happier dog though

RE: Help with bored dog

Jo Mackenzie — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 15:49:26 GMT

I feel your pain, I have a very active Springer who was recently housebound for five weeks due to a really nasty wound which just didn't want to heal! Is he on cage rest or is he allowed to move around the house? If he can move around, I would hide his food around the house so he has to search for it and it takes him longer to eat. If he is going to have to be rested for an indefinite amount of time maybe think about changing his food to something low-energy, and obviously reduce the amount of food to account for him not getting any exercise. Plenty of toys, but rotate them so he has different ones each day to help prevent boredom. Also Kongs like you are doing, but if you pop them in the freezer they will last for longer. There are various other puzzle feeder toys which you could try as well. When you are home with him try to spend some time with him doing training exercises (either brushing up on his basic training or teaching him new tricks) to give him something to think about.

With regards to the coprophagia, obviously make sure that you pick up his faeces as soon as possible, but don't rush over and make a big fuss as it will only encourage him to eat faster before you get to him! Watch him closely and as soon as he has finished toileting offer him a toy or call him to you to distract him, take him inside, then pick up the poo!

Also might be worth trying Adaptil or Zylkene as the bed licking is probably a sign of stress due to being confined.

Best of luck, and hope he makes a speedy recovery!

RE: Help with bored dog

PSA-David — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 11:26:49 GMT

Just wondering if you have done a bacterial swab culture from the the areas of odema could be indication of MRSA. this is speaking from experience.

with regards to boredom. certinally radio left on is a must but use a station where alot of talking is done, as will keep him alert. on the food side you could try the kong wobbler.

also you could try and give him foods that act as natural calmers / will not make him feel full of energy. slow releasing etc